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DP2 Challenge #190 --- Bright Colors

It's been quite awhile since I posted a card for the DP2 Challenge so I'm happy to be back with this cheerful image of Mummu's Roses.  I had made this a couple of weeks ago with no specific purpose in mind, except just to get my mojo back.  It would make a nice birthday or Mother's Day card.

My usual practice of taking photos with natural light doesn't work well when it's late in the day and the light coming in through the window is so low my shadow is cast on the lower right corner.  But the large flower is a bright pink and the assorted roses are shades of pink to rich red.  The paper is from the Prima Madeline Collection with has lovely old-fashioned patterns in cheerful colors. 

Mummu is colored with Copics and surrounded by swirls of rhinestones.  

Thank you for stopping by today.  There is still time to post in this week's challenge, so color up one of your favorite Mo Manning images and join in with all the other talented paper crafters.

Vintage Mother's Day Card

In my last post I vowed to get busy again..... and I did, but not so much with cards as I had hoped.  I actually went to work parttime at a lovely boutique here in Branson.  Three days a week, on my feet for eight hours, took more out of me that I was prepared for.  And I still struggle with the loss of my mom.  Nothing in my life has been so hard.  The support from online and real life continues to remind me how blessed I am.

When Mother's Day came along I was missing Mom so much.  I knew she would want me to keep busy and to celebrate the day in her memory and with our dear friend, Norma, my "other mother".  So this card was for Norma.

I wanted something with lots of flowers and a vintage feel.

A variety of one-of-a-kind flowers blended better than I imagined they would.

The image is from my collection I've acquired from many sources over the years.

I found the poem on the web and it was just perfect to express  how I feel about  "Mama Norma"
Last week I made a few other cards which I will be posting in the coming days.  Thank you for coming back and taking a look at my new creations.  I just hope I haven't lost my touch.  Despite my absence from my own blog, I have been visiting all of my favorite bloggers and you all continue to inspire me.  Thank you for that!

Amidst the Sorrow Comes a Time to Get Busy Again

The year 2012 is past, and hopefully the challenges that came with it.  My neck injury from the April car accident is better and the case is now in the hands of the attorney.  The pain persists at times and I guess will for awhile yet.  I had gotten back to my favorite thing, Copic coloring and cardmaking but then came the worst day of my life........

When Mom passed away on January 9 our world stopped. It's been five weeks already, yet it's been only five weeks.  Perception of time has a way of getting all twisted; it seems like her passing was so long ago, yet the memories and even the scent of her are still so fresh.  The suddenness of it, the urgency of trying to revive her with CPR, and the finality of the EMTs picking up their gear tears at my heart every minute.  The sorrow and depression has been so deep I haven't been able to put my mind to work on anything else.  There's much to do but so little energy.  Knowing my mom, she would be diving head first into her favorite activities or redecorating the house.  I'm not much like Mom that way, though I have begun the huge tasks of going through her craft room and photos --- we are alike that way.  

I know Mom would be disappointed if I didn't get busy with the cards again.  She always expressed how proud she was of my creativity and talents.  So, getting back to my passions seems the right thing to do.... and more joyful than cleaning or packing away her clothes (I just can't do that yet.)

Last summer I started combining my Copic coloring with photography when I created a sketch from a photo then colored that sketch with Copics.  Mom was so enthusiastic about this and she came up with a new name for this project.... OMG! It's Me! because when the subjects looked at these portraits on their cards, their first response was "Oh my gosh, it's me!"  The last one I did before Mom passed was her favorite. It is a portrait of a dear friend, Harold, hidden behind a Santa face.

Using my Cricut I created the beard and hat, then did some tricky positioning to make sure Harold's eyes and nose were partially revealed.  

Harold's daughter, Ginger, is also our friend and I wanted to see how quickly they would recognize the man behind the beard.  Neither of them knew I was making this for them for Christmas.  They, and all the friends around us, instantly recognized Harold in the card..... Whew!

Inside the card was this matted frame-ready portrait.  (I really need to stop taking photos with artificial light!)

The photo I used was taken by a mutual friend on Harold's 90th birthday last year.  What a good looking man!  

The previous cards with this technique are"

So, Mom, this post is for you.  I am going to get busy again.  Every portrait and every card will have a piece of you in them because my talent came from you!

On the Loss of My Mother

My wonderful mother/best friend passed away suddenly on January 9.  It is still so hard to grasp the reality of it and the ups and downs of the emotions makes it feel as though time has stood still.  We have had so much love and support from friends and neighbors.  The generosity is beyond belief!

I've had my sister and one of my brothers with his wife here for the past few days.  My son and daughter-in-law are also here and my God-Mother just arrived last night.  And so many friends via email and Facebook have provided even more comfort.  I have already heard from so many of you and my family and I appreciate the thoughts and prayers very much.

I woke very early this morning with the urge to write so over the next few days, weeks, or however long it takes I need to record this incredibly sad, yet spiritually rich time of my life.  

Rest In Peace, Mom.  I love you and miss you.